Single dose of methylphenidate improves cognitive performance in multiple sclerosis patients with impaired attention process

Background and purpose: Attention is one of the major cognitive domains adversely affected in multiple sclerosis (MS). The aim of the current study was to determine the effect of a single dose of methylphenidate on cognitive performance of MS patients with significant attention deficit. Methods: In a double-blind placebo-controlled study design, 26 MS patients with impaired attention were randomly assigned to receive a single dose of 10 mg methylphenidate or placebo. Attention was assessed using the paced auditory serial addition test for 3 and 2 s (PASAT3″ and PASAT2″) at baseline and 1 h after drug/placebo administration. Results: Methylphenidate significantly improved performance of both PASAT3″ and PASAT2″ tests by 22.8% and 25.6% respectively (p < 0.001), while no significant changes were observed in placebo treated patients. Conclusion: Administration of a single dose of methylphenidate significantly improved attention in MS patients with considerable attention deficit.